Little Turtles Carry Their Shells
Kids become little turtles crawling on all fours with their shell, a beanbag, on their back. They follow paths, crawl into hoops, and move slowly without dropping the shell. They work on balance on all fours and trunk control.
How to play
- Give each child a beanbag. Lay four straight ropes around the gym as paths and several hoops as ponds. Demonstrate: on all fours, a child puts a beanbag on your back and you crawl slowly.
- Turtles at home: on all fours, buddies place a beanbag on each other's backs. They hold still for a count of five. 2 minutes.
- Turtle walk: they crawl around the gym very slowly without dropping the shell. If it falls, they sit, put it back with a friend's help, and keep going. 3 minutes.
- Turtle trails: they follow the floor ropes on all fours, one hand on each side of the rope. 3 minutes.
- The pond: on a tambourine hit or clap, each turtle finds a hoop, crawls in with all four limbs, and holds still as if asleep. 2 minutes.
- Tired turtles: they lie on their tummies with the shell on top and breathe slowly. 2 minutes.
Rules
- Turtles go slowly: nobody runs here.
- We help each other put the shell on.
- Never crawl over another turtle.
- If my shell falls, I stop and put it back.
Variations
Easier
Still turtle with the beanbag and a short crawl, no ropes.
Standard
Crawl around the gym and along the rope paths.
Harder
Carry two beanbags (back and head) or crawl backward.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: beanbag on the lap, moving in a wheelchair along the paths.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: the child places the beanbag or the adult does, with no contact from classmates.
- More skilled kids crawl on hands and feet with knees off the floor; kids who need support use a bigger, flatter beanbag.
Learning goals
- Keep the trunk balanced while crawling on all fours.
- Carry an object on the back without dropping it.
- Help a buddy put on their shell.
Equipment for a class of 25
- beanbags: 20
- ropes: 4
- hoops: 10
Teacher tip
Use flat, loosely filled beanbags; they stay on backs better. Start with a stuffed turtle or a picture and watch the attention you get.
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